Probably last Spring for dear friend K.

Just last week, my close friend K. and another friend came to the house together to break it to me that the weird little swelling in her midriff we'd been a bit worried about, and she'd finally agreed to see a doctor about, had thought for a couple of weeks it was an injury from digging out her icebound car, is in fact Stage IV of a very aggressive cancer.  

She is not quite aware of how little time she might have, and I'm doing all I can to help, be available, support her visiting sister, who is beside herself, naturally, keep tabs on house keys, phone numbers, whatever I can do, arrange for other friends to deliver edible items to her, after her sister has to go back home far away, all the things you think of.  Since she lives alone, I put together a neighborhood A team to be available, including several men who want to be called on to move stuff (thinking ahead to later at home).

But it's a huge weight of sadness over those of us who know what this probably means in terms of remaining time for her and for us to have her company.  I can't write more about that.

She has always been very much interested in natural remedies, ways of keeping calm, and so on, and I introduced her to our local labyrinth last year, which she took to very happily.  Since I doubt very much she can ever do that again, I printed out a finger labyrinth for her, enlarged it, and gave it to her yesterday.  She is pleased with it, will start the practice right away, and I think might take it with her into treatment, since it's just a piece of paper, very portable.

I made one for me, too, since I figured I needed a bit of support too. If you're interested, go here and enlarge and print it.  It needs to be followed slowly, doing the usual labyrinth practice.  

This means calming before you start, deciding on what issue you're bringing to the labyrinth, following slowly to the center, pausing, then leaving, but not rushing out, and allowing time afterwards to digest what you've learned.  It never fails me, never, and I walk it for friends in trouble, for funerals, for memorials, for happy stuff, all kinds of things.

Please keep her in your thoughts.  This neighborhood is like a family, and she's an important member of it.  She was so good to me during Andy's last days and after, and gave me wonderful advice right after.  One of the few people who was able to do that.  As far as I'm concerned, only the best for her, for whatever time there is.
That includes vibes from you, dear blogistas, all over the globe.